New Orleans Saints OC’s future reportedly uncertain after slow start

The New Orleans Saints entered the 2023 NFL season as the favorites to win the NFC South with many forecasting offensive growth led by quarterback Derek Carr. Entering NFL games today, the Saints’ offense has been a disappointment.

New Orleans ranks near the bottom of the league in major offensive categories. Entering Week 5, the Saints rank 30th in touchdowns per game (1.3) and are 19th in third-down conversion rate.

New Orleans Saints stats 2023 (offense): 15.5 PPG (25th in NFL), 285.3 total ypg (23rd in NFL), 4.4 yards per play (29th in NFL), 15 punts per offensive core (26th)

When Sean Payton stepped away from football before the 2022 season, New Orleans immediately made Pete Carmichael its play-caller. A Saints’ assistant coach since 2006, Carmichael had the support of the locker room and provided continuity for the offense.

Two years in, there’s growing frustration in New Orleans. After weeks of fans voicing their displeasure with Carmichael’s play-calling, players have now publicly voiced their concerns. It’s all led to the veteran NFL assistant coach finding himself on the hot seat.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that there’s a buzz around the league about Carmichael’s seat warming up with the offense struggling.

While it’s not believed that a change at play-caller is imminent, Carmichael seems to be losing some of his job security.

The report comes just days after head coach Dennis Allen was non-commital on Carmichael’s long-term future with the team. Asked by reporters about the possibility of making changes to the coaching staff, Carmichael said it was currently too early to do that but he also recognized the growing frustration.

Following the Week 4 loss, running back Alvin Kamara offered a blunt assessment of the offense. Even after receiving 24 touches in his first game back from suspension, the Pro Bowl running back voiced his displeasure with what’s being done offensively.

“It’s been two years since we had that offense that was rolling. Now we’re kind of in this rut of. It is what it is right now. What you see. Like I said, we’ve got to have some conversations about something. Because I don’t like losing.” -New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara after Week 4

Heading into Week 5, the current issue is Carr’s arm. While he feels better than when he played against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder limit’s the frequency of how often Carr can throw deep. For a quarterback who already struggles versus pressure and has poor home-road splits, it’s another problem for the offense.

There is an incentive for Allen to make a change if he determines it’s necessary. While the Saints’ head coach isn’t squarely on the hot seat, a losing season would put him in jeopardy of being fired.

Given this is his second stint as an NFL head coach, a third opportunity won’t happen so this is his last chance.

It’s very unlikely anything is done in October. If the offensive woes continue, though, New Orleans could fire Carmichael or transition him into a lesser role as it heads into the Week 11 bye after Nov. 12.